DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Ultimate Spider-Man or any related characters, Spiderman Noir or Pulp era characters and themes. Everything belongs to Marvel, Disney or Dynamite Entertainment ... apart from the story.
In short; I don't own anything in this story.
This is just for fun.
Enjoy
Chapter 35: Out in the Open
Bpaa Thap Lounge – Bangalla – Night
Tensions between the current and original members of the League have finally began settled down, especially once everyone manged to get a drink in them … and wake Kato up. After Spiderman explained everything once again to his fellow leaguers; Hornet, Kato and Sarah have accepted the truth of the situation and offered their apologies to their predecessors. Except for Phantom, but as Spidey pointed out, that might just be because of the humiliating beating he suffered at Shadows hands.
Over the next hour, the current league had been getting to know the original legends that started it all for them. Over by one of the tables, Cliff had reluctantly agreed to let Hornet examine his rocket pack, while Kato looks bored out of her mind over her partner geeking out over tech.
Green Hornet: Amazing, I can hardly believe someone from the 1930's was able to design and construct something like this … this thing makes most rocket propelled technology today look cheap.
Cliff: Hey, in my day we built things to last… wow that didn't make me sound really old. But if you want to see something really impressive, here…
He unshackles his wrist gauntlets and hands them to Hornet.
Cliff: When the war started, Britt whipped these up for me.
Green Hornet: Holy… a miniature flame projector … a whipcord thrower and a miniature concussion rocket launcher … this is awesome, your like Boba Fett from Star Wars.
Cliff: Who?
Kato just rolls her eyes as Hornet continues to geek out, meanwhile Sarah hangs back at the bar while occasionally glancing over at her grandfather. In another corner of the bar, Swift Cloud is busy swapping stories with Moonstar, Zorro and Phantom. The entire time, Cloud knocking back a bottle of whisky.
Moonstar: No way!
Swift Cloud: It's true.
Zorro: I don't believe it.
Swift Cloud: Hand to god.
Phantom: You worked as a bounty hunter before the war?
Swift Cloud: A girls gotta make a living, darlin.
Moonstar: But why would you take up such a dangerous profession?
Swift Cloud: Let me tell you something; I was brought up in an old frontier place called Rango, it was a disgusting, awful, dirty, dangerous place. Everything there that's not you, wants to kill you; Outlaws, angry drunk people, scorned hookers, hungry animals, disease, major and minor injuries, the tribes, the weather. Hell, you can get killed just by going to the bathroom, when I was little I took my life into my own hands every time I walk out to the outhouse.
She catches the puzzled look Moonstar was giving her.
Swift Cloud: Rattle snakes in the grass, darlin. And that was just my childhood; a disgusting, awful, dirty cesspool of despair and fuck all of it.
She takes a swig from her bottle of whisky slams it down on the table.
Phantom: So I suppose an upbringing like that forces you to prepare for the worse.
Swift Cloud: I started learning how to draw iron since I was 5.
Phantom: Yeah, I was told you're fast at the draw … but I want to see it for myself.
Without warning, Phantom knocks Clouds bottle of whisky off the table. In a flash, she reaches over the side and catches it before it hits the floor. However, at the same time, Phantom had drawn is gun and aims it at Clouds head. Both Moonstar and Zorro look shocked at Phantoms actions, but all he could do was smirk as he pulls the trigger. The click heard, revealed to everyone that his gun was empty.
Phantom: And that was your head.
Suddenly Phantoms smirk disappeared as he only no noticed that something was being pressed up gently against his crotch. He leaned back and looked down wards to see in horror the barrel of Clouds familiar revolver is pressing up against him.
Swift Cloud: And those were your balls.
Both Moonstar and Zorro sniggered at Phantoms predicament as Cloud sits back up with her whiskey before bringing her revolver back up from under the table.
Swift Cloud: Word of advice, darlin…
She opens up her revolvers chamber and lets one of its rounds slip out onto the table.
Swift Cloud: Never empty your gun prematurely.
She takes another drink of her whisky, only to empty it, so she gets up from the table and staggers over to the bar, leaving Moonstar and Zorro in fits of laughter along with a humiliated Phantom. As all this was going on; Spiderman, White Tiger, Shadow were watching along with the recently arrived Aunt May and MJ.
White Tiger: Well, Kits now scarred for life.
Spiderman: That's one way to keep him in check … maybe you should be taking notes MJ?
MJ: Shut up, Pete.
Spiderman: Well, I'll get the next round in … back in a bit.
He gets up from the table and heads over to the bar, Leaving the most important women in Peters life along with his one-time mentor.
Aunt May: Err, Mr Shadow … Actually what is your real name?
Shadow: I am the Shadow.
MJ: Peter was right … you do take your theatrics way too seriously.
Aunt May: That's not very gentleman-like, and from what Peter has told me, I expected a lot more curtesy from a man of such … social standing as you.
Shadow merely gazed unphased at her, while both Tiger and MJ smirked at each other, both silently agreeing that Shadow has completely met his match.
Shadow: Of course, my dear … Lamont Cranston.
Aunt May: Mr Cranston, I never thought I'd get a chance to actually say this but … I wanted to thank you for everything you did for my Peter. If it wasn't for you, I'd wouldn't have him here today and our family wouldn't have grown either. With my lovely "honorary" daughter-in-law here and even Mary Jane, since she's with my other nephew … Kit.
Shadow: Ah yes … an interesting twist of fate if I do say so.
Aunt May: Peter has grown so much because of you; he thinks very highly of you too, like a mentor.
Shadow: I am pleased to see he has grown into a fine young man and you should be very proud of him. But I too should be thanking you for him … he has shown me insight that I thought I'd never know.
White Tiger: How do you mean?
Shadow: When I first ran across him, he was a back talking, smart mouthed child that didn't seem to know his backside from his elbow.
MJ: Sounds like him.
Shadow: He didn't know anything about the world he found himself in, so I had to take it upon myself to educate him. Everything from advice about his actions and decisions, to dressing appropriately and even important things like making a proper martini. Never before had I needed to watch over … dare I say, care for anyone like that.
Aunt May: I know exactly what you mean … it's called being a parent.
Shadow: Then allow me to thank you Mrs Parker … it's because of your nephew, that I got to experience what it must be like to have a son.
Both Tiger and MJ let out an exaggerated "Aww" while Shadow smartens himself up, not wanting to bring his emotional guard down completely. While up at the bar, Spiderman is busy getting the next round in just as Cliff walked up beside him.
Spiderman: How'd you like Luke?
Cliff: He's an interesting one … I can't believe he's with that Kato girl. She's a bit of a stern broad ain't she?
Spiderman: Maybe, but they made it work and they're good together.
Cliff: Still … I didn't see that coming. Speaking of which, I gotta say, you landed quite the little muffin yourself.
Spiderman: Huh? Oh yeah, Ava's great … but don't call her a muffin, she'll claw your eyes right out.
Cliff: So she is a Spitfire?
Spiderman: When she's being understanding.
He pated Spiderman hard on the back and chuckled.
Cliff: That's the kind of dame guys like us need … just like my Jenny.
Spiderman then noticed that Cliff went quiet and looked slightly morbid … maybe it was just the drink or he was clearly missing his wife, but Spiderman wanted to cheer him up.
Spiderman: Come on … I'll let Ava tell you stories about me; the kinds I'd prefer you didn't know.
Cliff: Sounds like a laugh.
The barman comes over with the last of Spiderman's drinks; an orange juice and places it on a try for him. Perplexed, Cliff looked to Spiderman.
Cliff: Who's on the juice?
Spiderman: Oh that's Ava's
Cliff: Not much of a clam-bake dame is she?
Spiderman: No you see Ava … well, Ava's pregnant.
At first he was taken aback by the bland, expressionless look Cliff was giving him now. He didn't say anything at first, not even a congratulation, instead all he could utter was a single…
Cliff: What?
Spiderman: Huh, I think I had the same reaction when she first told me, just before the invasion hit. Well come on…
He picked up the tray and turned to walk back over to his table, when from out of nowhere.
(Spiderman) Spidey-Sense! Here?
He felt Cliffs hand grab him hard on the shoulder and forced him round to face him, only to have Cliffs fist strike him hard on the face, knocking him down onto the floor.
Cliff: YOU TWIT!
The entire room fell silent and all eyes were on the pair of them. Before Spidey could get to his feet, he felt Cliffs boot kick him hard in the gut as he rants out loud.
Cliff: You took your pregnant wife into a warzone?! Are you stupid?!
By the time he kicked Spidey again in the ribs, the initial shock of the scene had worn off and Cloud had jumped into action, speeding over between the two, she began pushing him back while Tiger and Aunt May rushed over to help Spiderman to his feet.
Swift Cloud: Cliff, calm down!
Cliff: I thought you were better than that, Peter! You were supposed to be better!
Both Sarah and Zorro rushed over to help, taking hold of each of Cliffs arms and dragged him out of the private bar, Cliff still ranting at Spiderman as he goes. By the time they're gone, Spiderman gets back to his feet with Tigers help, only to be met by a now angry looking Cloud.
Swift Cloud: Is it true? Is she pregnant?
Spiderman: … yes.
Cloud looked like she had just been slapped several times with a shovel, but strangely she didn't just tear into him, but on Tiger as well.
Swift Cloud: What are you; crazier than a scorpion with sunstroke?! Peter how could you let her do something so stupid?
White Tiger: Excuse me?! What do you mean "Let me"?
Spiderman: Are we just going to ignore Cliff…
Swift Cloud: I can't believe either of you!
And on that she spun round and sped out through the bar exit, not before swiping another whisky bottle from under the bar. Meanwhile everyone had started to gather round the pair of them.
White Tiger: Peter? What the hell was that about?
Green Hornet: Why did Cliff slug you like that?
Phantom: What did you say to set him off?
MJ: Kit!
Spiderman: I don't know, we were talking about stuff; Hornet and Kato, then his wife Jenny and when I told him about Ava…
Aunt May: It must have been the drink … he was knocking it back a bit too much I thought…
Shadow: It's how he copes.
Everyone turned round towards Shadow, seeing that he hadn't been phased at all by the recent outburst of his teammates, just continuing to sip his bourbon.
Spiderman: What do you mean?
Shadow: War … it takes a toll on everyone in different ways. The war in Europe had shown the young many things, things that nobody should ever have to see. Miss Kane is tougher than she looks, but Mr Secord; for him it all started at 7:48 am, 7th of December 1941 … Hawaii.
Moonstar: Wait, you mean…
Green Hornet: Oh no…
Spiderman: What?
Tiger sharply elbowed Spidey in the side before whispering softly to him.
White Tiger: Pearl Harbour.
Shadow: That's where he was stationed … as the Japanese Navy launched their attack on U.S. battle groups stationed there. To the rest of the world, that date would be marked as the day the United States entered the war in Europe; but to Mr Secord … he'll remember it as the day he lost several friends … even his wife Jenny.
Spidey's eyes widened in horror, and he could tell that some of the others were doing the same, even trying to hold back tears. Shadow merely finished his drink and got to his feet to walk over to Spiderman.
Shadow: The last few years has been tough on him, especially now he's a single father. He's been fighting to create a world in which the new generation wouldn't repeat the same mistakes that we did. But it seems that was a fools hope.
He walked up to Spiderman, so close that their noses were practically touching and pierced Spiderman with his menacing glare.
Shadow: "With great power comes great responsibility" … that's what you said to me once. Well, all I can tell you … boy, is that no man worthy of that title would ever had put his unborn child in such danger … I thought you better than that.
Spidey was speechless, he knew Shadow was right. But trying to explain to himself that attempting to talk Tiger out of anything was a pointless effort wouldn't work, in the end he knew he should have done more to keep his wife out of that kind of danger. Unable to say anything to his former mentor, Spiderman just lowered his head and backed away to sit at the bar. Before Shadow left he turned to face Tiger.
Shadow: Congratulations to you, Mrs Parker.
Mongo Warship "Rising Eclipse" - Caribbean Sea
Under the cover of their advanced stealth technology; a vast detachment of the Mongo fleet, headed by Princess Auras personal warship, makes its way closer to the tracker signal and hopefully the central command of Mongos enemy. Sitting upon the command seat up on the bridge, the Mongo Princess waits in anticipation for the upcoming battle.
Princess Aura: How much longer until our destination?
Mongo Officer: We should becoming within range of our scanners shortly, your Majesty.
She glances over to her side where the black armoured Lord Null stands quietly, though Aura respected him as a warrior, she felt that he wasn't much of a conversationalist.
Princess Aura: Don't underestimate the warriors of his world, Null. Many of them have abilities unlike what you've seen before.
Lord Null: ….
Princess Aura: You know you're only here because my father ordered it, I have everything completely under control, I do not require your assistance.
Lord Null: ….
Princess Aura: Just stay out of my way when we begin the attack.
Lord Null: So long as you stay out of mine.
Before the Mongo Princess could retort, her attention was called over to the Officer from before.
Mongo Officer: Your Majesty, we're now within range and we have a visual. The signal is originating from a single island that doesn't appear in the data we currently have.
Princess Aura: How long before contact?
Mongo Officer: E.T.A. 15 minutes, your Majesty.
Princess Aura: Signal the fleet.
Bangalla
After Cliffs outburst at Spiderman, Cloud had left to check up on her teammate. By the time she found him, he was in a nearby Jungle clearing from the lounge and he seemed to be having a heart filled talk with his granddaughter Sarah. Not wanting to interfere, she held herself back behind a tree and watched the two of them for several minutes. Suddenly, Cloud heard a branch snapping behind her and in a flash, she spun round and drawn her Revolver on a started Moonstar.
Swift Cloud: Oh … sorry darlin, but sneaking up on someone like that can get you killed.
Moonstar: Sorry, I should have announced myself.
Dana takes a few steps closer to see what Cloud had found.
Moonstar: He's still upset, but calmer now … that's good at least.
Swift Cloud: Now how'd you know that?
Moonstar: I'm an empth, I can sense people's emotions … amongst other things.
Swift Cloud: … Right.
The two of the look at each other in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Cloud asks the young Native American something that's been bothering her since they first met.
Swift Cloud: So … Dana, was it? What tribe of the Inde are you from?
Moonstar: How'd you know…
Swift Cloud: Call it instincts?
Moonstar: I am of the Chiricahua … along with my sister.
Swift Cloud: Chiricahua … Just like my mother.
Moonstar: Yes, you see I'm…
Swift Cloud: My great granddaughter right?
Moonstar was slightly started by Clouds apparent acceptance of this reveal.
Swift Cloud: Don't look so surprise, with you being the only other Native I've seen here, it wasn't difficult to work out.
Soon after this revelation, both Cloud and Moonstar left the clearing to talk amongst themselves. Cloud regaled Moonstar with more tales of her upbringing and her part in the Leagues adventures in her time, while Moonstar told Cloud about her upbringing, her sister, inheriting Clouds powers and even her relationship with Iron Fist.
Swift Cloud: Your pulling my leg aren't you?
Moonstar: No … he really does come up with those zen sayings on the spot.
Swift Cloud: You have a good thing going here, better than I ever had. A little advice for you kid … Enjoy what you have with who you have, when you have it. Because before you know it, it's out of your life forever.
Moonstar didn't need to be an empth to read how her foremother was feeling, nor who she was thinking about to cause such a strong emotional reaction.
Moonstar: I don't know if I should tell you this but … he does still care about you, in his own way. You were a huge influence on him and it's hard for him too, with you here…
Swift Cloud: Please darlin … just don't. I know with him happily married for so long, me showing up isn't exactly what he would want…
Moonstar: I don't know about long, they only got married a few days ago.
Swift Cloud: Just a few…? Well he didn't waste too much time, knocking up what's her name faster than two rabbits in spring. Then again, dressed the way she does, I'm not surprised.
Moonstar: Hey … Ava's very nice you know; she did tell Peter about her pregnancy straight because she didn't want to add the stress…
Swift Cloud: Wait, what do you… was she pregnant before they got married?!
Moonstar: Well … yes but…
She had taken her eyes off Cloud for what seemed like only a second, but it was enough for Cloud to disappear in a flash, leaving Moonstar alone to ponder on what just happened until she reached a realisation.
Moonstar: Oh god no…
Racing through the thick Bangallian Jungle, Swift Cloud navigated her way back towards the lounge where she knew Peter was last. All the time muttering to herself angrily out loud.
Swift Cloud: That low down, dirty, sneaky little…
Bpaa Thap Lounge
Several yards away from the lounge is a small strip of beach that is often used for recreational purposes; beach volley ball, sun bathing and so on. However, the only occupant at this moment in time is Spiderman. After the drama in the bar, he came out here on his own to think things over, but it didn't last too long.
White Tiger: Hey.
Spiderman: Hey
He made shifted over to give his wife some space for her to sit down next to him on the towel he was using. As She does so, Tiger linked her arm with his and leaned into him.
White Tiger: You doing ok?
Spiderman: No.
White Tiger: Look, don't take what Shadow said too hard. I made a choice to go out there and stand by it. Don't go blaming yourself…
Spiderman: It's not that.
White Tiger: Then what?
Spiderman: Its Cliff … he was the life of the party as he usually was, and all that time he was hiding that pain. Losing Jenny the way he did … how he's been trying to cope with it … he must have felt completely powerless to protect her.
White Tiger: You don't need to protect me Peter, I can protect myself, better than most and you know that. As for Cliff, we both know that the Second World War scarred so many people; morally, ethically, physically and mentally. Cliff is hurting right now but I can tell he's strong, he reminds me of you, and… and what you went through during the Singh War. If you were able to put it behind you, I know he will too.
She leaned in closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder, trying you comfort him. Spidey however had one more thing on his mind, something he had been holding back on her for quite some time. Only after discovering Cliffs recent history has made him realise that he needed to tell her.
Spiderman: Ava … there's something you need to know. Remember after the war, the state I was in…?
He told her everything. The dreams he was having … still having to this day. Haunted by hallucinations of Hobgoblin mocking him, Goulding him, threatening him. Trying to convince him that it was his fault that the villain had died.
Tiger listened carefully and didn't once interrupt him, she had always knew that something was disturbing Peter just after the war but he never told her exactly what it was, though she thought he was getting better. Tiger was horrified to learn that it had started again for him not too long ago and even more so on what they were about … her.
Spiderman: Then all I could see was you … lying there, lifeless.
By the time he was finished, Spidey did feel a small surge of relief after telling her everything … well, nearly everything. Spidey had deliberately left out the particular part about it was Harry he saw taking her life, he still wasn't ready to face that.
White Tiger: Peter, you should have told me all of this!
Spiderman: I know, and I'm sorry. I'm only telling you this now because … Shadow was right and after finding out about Cliff…
He had come this far … may as well get it over with.
Spiderman: Ava, for now own you're going to stay here on Bangalla where you and the baby are safe.
White Tiger: That's a joke right, Peter?
Spiderman: I'm being serious … and responsible. Until I say otherwise, I'm forbidding you to leave the Island.
Tiger leapt to her feet and glared at Spiderman, only this time he wasn't having any of it. Spiderman stood up to meet her eye to eye.
White Tiger: You forbid me?! If you think I'm just going to sit around while others fight this war, then your more screwed up than I thought you were.
Spiderman: Ava, Listen to me…
White Tiger: NO! You listen … I can't afford to stay out of this fight, we've lost too many allies … and friends as it is.
Spiderman: And I'm not going to lose you too! This isn't up for discussion Ava; I'm putting my foot down.
White Tiger: Your foot… wow Peter, you couldn't have thought of a better cliché?
Spiderman: Ok, how about this one … You're going to do what I say and that it!
White Tiger: Where in that empty head of yours makes you think you can tell me what to do?!
Swift Cloud: Because he's you husband!
Both Spiderman and White Tiger look round to see Cloud standing off at the edge of the beach. Unbeknownst to them, she was waiting there since the pair started shouting at each other, and Cloud couldn't help but let everything she heard Tiger say enrage her further as she marches over to them.
Swift Cloud: And as his wife … it's your job to shut your mouth and do what he says, since he knows what's best for you.
White Tiger: Best for me? Sorry Jackie, but this isn't the 1940's anymore and Peter can't order me about.
Swift Cloud: No, you and girls these days just do what you want, don't you? And when things get tough and out of your control, you blame everyone but yourself.
Before Spidey could say anything, Tiger pushed past him and marched right up to Cloud until they were inches apart.
White Cloud: You got something to say to me, cowgirl?
Swift Cloud: As a matter of fact, I do, little lady. I know your type; find a nice rich guy and trap him with a baby, then push him around like he's your personal mule.
White Tiger: What…?
Swift Cloud: I knew there was something about you that rubbed me wrong, and when Dana told me … smart girl, the second Peter married you after you told him you were cooking, my instincts of you being trash was on the dollar.
White Tiger: Your one to talk, Ms "Hanky Panky"! Couldn't round up a guy with your lasso so you move in on a vulnerable lost moron … talk about desperate!
Completely bamboozled by the scene taking place before him, Spidey couldn't get a word in with either of them. Worried that things were going to get out of hand, he was about to forcefully separate them until his Spidey Sense goes crazy in his head. Knowing that the women in front of him wasn't the cause of it he used his powers to leap far out of the open ground he was in, while at the same time using his webs to snag Cloud and Tiger and pull them aside with him, just as the beach head exploded with a rain of laser fire. The barrage continued around the surrounding and managed to damage the lounge building.
Spiderman kept both the girls head down behind jungle cover and waited as the attack raged on. The moment there was a small opening, Spiderman used the scanners in his helmet to survey his surroundings to find out what was going on. To his horror, he picked up the familiar readings of Mongo snub fighters … de-cloaked of their stealth technology and raining firepower down on the Island.
Spiderman: Oh god no…
A/N: Comment and review.